Michelin Recalls 841k Tires - Tread Separations

August 10, 2012

CATEGORIES: Defective Tires, Michelin, Tire Recall

On July 24, Michelin North America Inc. announced the voluntary recall of more than 841,000 tires – BF Goodrich Commercial T/A A/S and Uniroyal Laredo HD/H models for commercial light trucks – because of a defect that can lead to tread separation and loss. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at least 799,900 of the tires involved in this recall were sold in the United States.

Tread separations, when the outer surface or tread detaches from the carcass at highway speed, have serious consequences. Tread separations can greatly increase the possibility of an automobile crash. Manufacturing defects are the leading cause for tread separation in new tires, as a flaw in the production of the tire can cause insufficient bonding between the tire’s steel belts and its rubber components. Tire defects, and imminent tread separations, can be sometimes be detected if an automobile begins to develop unusual shaking during driving. This is caused by the initial phases of a tread separation and owners should take their vehicles to the nearest service center should such a condition be detected. Tread separations can often lead to a loss of control because they dramatically change the vehicle’s handling characteristics and its response to the operator’s input.

The tires in question were manufactured in Fort Wayne, Indiana between 2010 and 2012, and BF Goodrich and Uniroyal will be contacting owners of automobiles with these tires to handle replacements. However, if you own an automobile that currently uses these affected tires, you can contact Michelin’s Tire Consumer Care line at (800) 637-5527 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Previously, Michelin also recalled three different models of tires in April, affecting more than 73,000 vehicles. The XM505 LRJ, XZU2 LRJ, and XZU3 LRJ models were recalled because of a defect that was causing rapid loss of air.

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